A Selfless Devotee
There is a beautiful story in the Bhagavatam (7.10) that Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj often narrated to illustrate selfless devotion. When Lord Narsingh killed Hiranyakashipu, Brahma, Shiva and all the celestial gods wanted to express gratitude to Shri Krishna, who had descended as Narsingh specially to kill this dreaded demon. But a problem arose — who should lead the welcome delegation? Seated majestically and glowing with an aura of a thousand suns, Lord Narsingh appeared dreadful. His hands were dripping with blood and His body entangled in the entrails of Hiranyakashipu. Everyone felt terrified and so no one volunteered to face Him.
Gradually all turned to Brahma, the creator of this universe, and to His son, but he refused outright seeing the Lord’s frightful appearance. Even Shiva refused, who destroys the universe just by opening His third eye. Now there was a big problem. When personalities like Brahma and Shiva refused, then other celestial gods like Indra etc. stood no chance at all. Ultimately it was decided that the five-year-old Prahlada should lead the delegation. After all, the Lord had appeared exclusively to protect him.
Just as little ones are generally fearless, Bhakta Prahlada walked boldly towards Lord Narsingh with palms joined to show gratitude. The moment he came close, the Lord abandoned all His anger and gently picked Prahlada up and placed him on His lap. Embracing him in an outpouring of love and affection, the Lord urged him to ask for a boon. But Prahlada was no ordinary child. Sage Narada had graced him with the complete knowledge of all the scriptures.
When Prahlada heard that God wanted him to ask for a boon he was confused, and wondered whether he still had any desires? Was he a beggar? He was a servant of God, his master. A servant is no servant at all if he demands something from his master. A servant’s only duty is to serve the Lord. Prahlada politely refused, saying that he is a servant and not a businessman who expects something in return. Nevertheless God insisted, stressing that all devotees ask for something when He appears before them. Prahlada again clarified that he is the kind of servant who neither asks for anything, nor has he anything suitable to give. As God is ever blissful and content, even He does not desire anything. Though surprised at the little boy’s conviction, God still maintained that he should ask for a boon. Seeing God’s persistence and realising that he was left with no choice, Prahlada then said, “Grant me a boon that I should never, ever, ask You for anything and that my intellect should never create any desire.”
Consequently, the all-powerful, almighty God gave up. God realised that day that He had encountered a true selfless devotee who would not budge from his resolve. Prahlada added that any desire in the mind causes the destruction of all noble faculties of man — the strength of his senses, his mind, his vital energy and his body. Moreover, he loses his sense of righteousness, determination, understanding, fortune, modesty, prowess, memory and adherence to truth. Once a desire arises, it makes a man insane. A man then resorts to telling lies and performing all sorts of sinful acts in order to fulfil his desire. Such are the perils of creating a desire.
Therefore, the first and foremost condition for devotional practice is that an aspirant should firmly resolve not to have any desire for his own personal happiness. Only then will he be qualified to follow the path of devotion.
Spirituality in Daily Living, Vol. 1, p43–46
Kripalu Bhaktiyoga Tattvadarshan, Vedic knowledge revealed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj as presented in English by Dr Vishakha Tripathi, president of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
https://www.jkpliterature.org.in/en/product/spirituality-in-daily-living-set-of-4
